Customer Reviews

It's Only a Game: Words of Wisdom from a Lifetime in Golf

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I must say that this book is a bit more about improving your life than your golf game and Mr.Burke has lead an exceptional life to say the least.The book will improve your game ten fold but you will also look at life a bit different as well.Mr. Burke is a master of teaching about life through the game he so dearly loves.Wisdom abounds through these pages and you will read and re-read most of this whole book.Mr.Burke's dry humor is evident through-out the book which makes this an especially enjoyable read.Do yourself a favor,do not miss out on this man's hard earned wisdom,he did us all a favor by putting it in print.There are not many people in the world that say what everyone's thinking and this man does.He shows courage and unwavering knowledge on the game of golf,but never lets you forget "It's just a Game".

Simply put, if you care about golf - it's history, tradition and the real meaning of the game, then this book is a must read.

Jack Burke, Jr. has played an important role in golf history - as an outstanding player, teacher and co-creator of one of the greatest golf clubs in the nation.

This book is a compilation of great stories and Burke's views on a number of meaningful topics relating to golf and life.

A quick, educational and enlightening read that I highly recommend.

The title of can be a bit misleading but not in the way one might assume. The title seems to convey the diea that Burke doesn't take golf as seriously as others; the exact opposite is true. He views the game through a different viewpoint where instead of the game being involved within every aspect of your life, life is involved throughout the game of golf. He at the same time views golf not as a game to be taken lightly but instead one that falls back on the basic human instincts of competition. I've had the personal luxury of growing up and maturing as a golfer at the club he and Jimmy Demaret founded, Champions Golf Club, and because of Jack Burke I see the game differently from my peers. This book comes as close as possible to discovering who he is and the way he believes the game of golf should be played. He hasn't been caught up by who he is and what he has accomplished; he instead continues to try to teach others what golf is, what it used to be, and what it should continue to be.

Jack Burke has written a book not just for golfers, but for anyone desiring simple lessons of life. It's a fun, quick read, with lots of fascinating golf anecdotes. This book is one you can pick up and read bits at a time...or the whole book in a sitting. But you will find yourself returning to it...reading a chapter just for fun!

Not a great book, but a good solid golf book.

Too much instruction, not enough story-telling and reminiscing.

The more you like golf, the more you will enjoy this book.

The story of a good golfer and a great man...That alone makes it worth the read.

Great book, full of the wit and wisdom of Jackie Burke. Fun to read and a combination of personal reflections, advice and a few tips along the way.

Jackie Burke is a breath of fresh air amidst the hype of modern golf writing. His clear and concise commentary on all aspects of the game leaves little to conjecture. A great read...

When growing up, you always need an older mentor. Mr. Burke has been just that to Steve Elkington and Hal Sutton and shares alot of the wisdom he gave to them for the price of a book! I highly recommend getting this as it will really shape you as a player and in alot of other ways as well.

If you dont appreciate Jackie then you dont apperciate this game...He is a legend, a man that grew up in the game, played with the greats, and is one of the few great players/teachers- PGA and Masters champ. He is a gem to the game and this book is a must read!

The main title, "It's Only a Game," is misleading. Jackie Burke, Jr. was born to the golf business. His father was a club pro. Burke, Jr. became a club pro, a tour pro and then co-founder of the Champions Golf Club in Houston, where golfers with only average skills need not apply. From the author's perspective, it's a business, and a serious one at that, not a game. Which is not to say that Jackie's a golf elitist--that would not be true either. The subtitle, "Words of Wisdom from a Lifetime in Golf," is a more accurate reflection of the book's contents, although not everyone is going to agree that all of Jackie's words are wise. Apparently Jackie sat down with Guy Yocom and/or a tape recorder and talked about his life in golf, and Yocom put his thoughts, extended sound bites if you will, together in book form. I particularly liked, and agreed with, his comments about the Ryder Cup and youth golf. And although the author distains the idea of golfing "tips," he gives you plenty, and I think, some very good ones. Others go against the grain. Jackie is not afraid to tell it like he sees it. Overall, a quick, fun, interesting read. I bounced between a two, three and four star rating, and ended up in the middle.